If I were in the unenviable position of having to study my work my points of departure would be the "Naught is more real ..." and ...the "Ubi nihil vales ..." both already in Murphy and neither very rational.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

Architecture might be more sportive and varied if every man built his own house, but it would not be the art and science that we h...ave made it; and while every woman prepares food for her own family, cooking can never rise beyond the level of the amateur's work.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

We arrived in New York, by rail, the day before Christmas. Everything looked bright and gay in our streets. It seemed to me that t...he sky was clearer, the air more refreshing, and the sunlight more brilliant than in any other land!LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

That your sex are naturally tyrannical is a truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute; but such of you as wish to ...be happy willingly give up the harsh title of master for the more tender and endearing one of friend.... Men of sense in all ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your sex; regard us then as being placed by Providence under your protection, and in imitation of the Supreme Being make use of that power only for our happiness.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

I long to hear that you have declared an independancy [sic]--and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be nec...essary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Laidies [sic] we are determined to foment a Rebelion [sic], and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

New Yorkers speak more quickly and shift topics more rapidly. We all know that. But the way it's done is fascinating. At least it ...fascinated me when I first moved to New York. Someone has the floor and talks. As soon as I know what they are going to say, I can jump in, finish the sentence to show I understand, and take off into my own turn. The northern California I know isn't like that. Someone talks, and I lie back and listen and let them roll for a while. When they're done, there'll be a pause that will flash like a green light to announce that someone else can have the floor.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

Pessimists say that the family is eroding. Optimists say the family is diversifying. Both points of view are right. Families are m...ore diverse and they are more in trouble--but not because of their diversity. The families of today--whatever their size or shape--are in crisis because our economy is failing, our national resources are shrinking, and our governmental policies to support them are inadequate.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

Stories of law violations are weighed on a different set of scales in the Black mind than in the white. Petty crimes embarrass the... community and many people wistfully wonder why Negroes don't rob more banks, embezzle more funds and employ graft in the unions.... This ... appeals particularly to one who is unable to compete legally with his fellow citizens.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

A bizarre sensation pervades a relationship of pretense. No truth seems true. A simple morning's greeting and response appear load...ed with innuendo and fraught with implications.... Each nicety becomes more sterile and each withdrawal more permanent.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »